Automatic reclosing-circuit-breaker system



Dec. 9, 1930 E. ANDERSON.

AUTOMATIC RECLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKER SYSTEM Filed July 7, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l VVV /4 26 ill 5 3! 35 55 I g lnventon: W /5 ApvLd E.Ancle On, by

' HLS Atto heg Dec, 9, 1930. A. E. ANDERSON AUTOMATIC RECLOSINC CIRCUIT BREAKER SYSTEM Filed July '7. 192 2 Sheets-Sheet Inventor: ArvLd iAnolenson, Igg 14 .l'z

HLS Attohneg.

Patentecl Dec. 9, 1930 UNITEDMSTAITES'J ARVID E. ANDERSON, OE SCOTIA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR '1 O GENERAL PANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC COM- AUTOMATIC RECLOSIlTNG-CIRCUIT-BREAKER SYSTEM Application filed. July 7, 1927. Serial No. 204,096.

My invention relates to automatic'rcclosing circuit breaker systems and particularly to an arrangement for reclosing a circuit breaker between two electric circuits a pre- 5 determined number of times with predetermined intervals bet-ween successive reclosures 19 between a source and a' load circuit to open breaker is reclosed the first time so,th-at the of the circuit breaker.

It has been found that the II'IEIJOI'Ity of faults that cause an overloadcircuit breaker are of such a nature that they disappear as soon as the circuit breaker is opened and 1 therefore the circuit breaker remainsclosed after its first reclosure. Since it is Very desirable that the interruption of servlce should be as short as possible, the circuit breaker between a source and the load circuit in such a system should be reclosed the first time immediately after sufficient time has elapsed to permit any load circuit breakers which areprovided with low voltage tripping devices to open. If'however the fault is still connected to the load circuit when the circuit circuit breaker again opens, it is desirable to allow a much longer time to elapse before the circuit breaker is again reclosed, and if the fault is still connected to the load circuit after the circuit breaker has. been opened and recl-o'sed apredetermined number ofti-mes, to prevent further reclosing of the circuit breaker untilthe reclosing equipment has been in spected to insure that it is incondition to. be placed in service again. i I

An object of my invention is to provide'an improved arrangement for accomplishing this desiredresult. Y

My invention will be better understood from the following description,.taken in connection with-the accompanying drawing, and

claims. 1

'its scope will be pointed out in the appended Referring to the accompanying" drawing Fig. 1 is a diagram of connections ofan auto Inatic reclosing circuit breaker system for a single phase system embodying my invention, Fig. 2 is a modification of a portion of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, andFig. 3 is a diagram of connections of an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system for a three phase system.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1 rcpresents'asuitable circuit breaker, examples of which are well known in the art, for connecting a supply cirr cuit 2, which may be supplied from any suitable source not shown, to a load circuit 3. As shown in the drawing the circuit breaker 1 is of the well known latched-in type and com prises a closing coil 4 which, when energized,

c'loses'the circuit breaker 1, a latch 5 for holdbreaker 1 in response to an overload on the load circuit I provide an overload relay 7 whose coil is connected in series relation with the load circuit 3 by means of a current trans-. former 8. The relay 7 is arranged to complete .a circuit for the trip coil 6 whenever the current through the circuit breaker exceeds a predetermined value.

In order to effect the immediate reclosing of the circuit breaker 1 as soon as it opens, I provide a circuit for a hesitating control relay 9 which, when energized, completes an energizing circuit for the closing coil 4. This circuit for the closing coil 4 also includes contacts not the overload re- :lay so as to insure that the overload relay is notin its tripping position at the time the U circuit breaker is reclos'e'd.

V In order to prevent th s energizing circuit of the relay 9 from being completed in case the circuit breaker 1. opens immediately after its first reclosure I' provide a lockout relay 12 which is arranged to be operated in response to the operation of the relay 9 andv which controls contacts in the .coil circuit of the relay 9. As shown in the drawing this result is obtained by connecting the coil of the relay 12 in the circuit of the'closing coil 4 which is completed by the relay 9 so that the relay 12 isenergized at the same time the closing coil 4 is energized and by having the relay 12, when energized, open contacts in the circuit of the coil of the relay 9. The relay 12 is also arranged in any suitable manner, examples of which are well known 1n the art, so that it is maintained in its energized position after the circuit breaker 1 closes and the winding of the relay 12 is deenergized. In the particular arrangement shown in the drawing this result is obtained by meansof a latch 13 which holds the relay'in its energized position and which is arranged to be released by a release coil 14. p

In order to reclose the circuit breaker 1 a predetermined number of times with relatively long predetermined time intervals between successive reclosures in case the circuit breaker does not remain closed after its first reclosure, and for limiting the number of reclosures I provide a suitable motor operated reclosing device 15, examples of which are well known in the art, which is set into operation in response to the first opening of the circuit breaker. As shown in the drawing the reclosing device 15 comprises a timer 16 and a driving motor 17 therefor, which is permanently connected across the supply circuit 1. The motor 17 is normally prevented from rotating by a stop 18 which engages a projection 19 on the timer. The stop 18 is arranged to be moved out of engagement with projection 19 by a release magnet 20 whenever it is energized. The release magnet 20 is arranged to be energized when the circuit breaker 1 is open and the lockout re-' lay 12 is in its deenergized position. There fore, the release magnet 20 is energized only 'during the period between the first opening of the circuit breaker and its first reclosure. This time, however, is sufficient to permit the magnet 20 to move the stop 18 out of engagement with projection 19 so that the timer can move out of its normal position before the release magnet 20 is deenergized.

The timer 16 is provided with sets of contacts 21 and 22 which are arranged to be closed successively with predetermined time intervals between successive closures there of as the timer rotates; The contacts 21 and 22 are arranged so that only one set can be closed at any instant. When the contacts 21' are closed a circuit is completed for a control relay 23, associated with the timer, if the circuit breaker 1 is open, and the relay 23, when energized, completes a locking circuit for itself so that the relay remains energized after the contacts 21 are subsequently opened. When the contacts 22 are closed, and the relay 23 is energized, a circuit is completed for the hesitating control relay 9, which eflects the closing of the circuit breaker 1.

The timer 16 is provided with a third set of contacts 24 whichare closed after the contacts 21 and'22 have been closed a predetermined number of times by the timer. The

closure of'these contacts 24 completes an en- I ergizing circuit for the release magnet 14 of the lockout relay 12 if the circuit breaker is closed so that its auxiliary contacts 25 are closed at the same time that the timer contacts 24 are closed. The energization of the release magnet 14 permits thelockout relay 12 to return to its deenergized position so that the contacts in the instantaneous energizing circuit of the relay 9, which are controlled by the relay 12, are again closed.

In order to prevent the circuit breaker from being opened and closed an indefinite number of times while the timer maintains its contacts 24 closed and an overload occurs simultaneously on the load circuit, I provide the release magnet 14 with contacts 26 which are opened when the magnet is energized and which are connected'in the instantaneous energizing circuit of the relay 9 so that this energizing circuit is closed only when the magnet 14 is deenergized. I also provide a resistor 27 in shunt to the auxiliary contacts 25 on the circuit breaker 1, which are in the circuit of the release magnet 14. This resistor is of such a value that it permits sufiicientcurrent to flow through the release ma gnet 14 to maintain it in its energized position, but not enough current to flow through-the magnet 14 to cause it to move from its deenergized position to its energized position. Therefore, it will be observed that after the release magnet 14 has once been energized by the timer 16 closing its contacts 24 the magnet 14 remains energized until the timer opens its contacts 24 and that while the magnet 14 is energized the instantaneous energizing circuit for the relay 9 is open at contacts 26 so that there is no possibility of the circuit breaker 1 being closed an indefinite number of times in case an overload should occur while the timer 16 is in the position where its contacts 24 are closed.

The operation of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is as follows: When the circuit breaker 1 is closed it is held in its closed position by the latch 5 as long as conditions on the load circuit are normal. When an abnormal load condition occurs, overload relay 7 operates to open its contacts 11 and close its contacts 28 thereby completing a circuit for the trip coil 6 to effect the opening of the cir- I As soon as the circuit breaker closes itsauxiliary contacts 30 the instantaneous energi zing c1rcu1t for relay 9 is completed to effeet the closing of the circuit breaker 1. This circuit is from one side of a suitable control circuit through the auxiliary contacts 30 on the circuit breaker 1, conductor 31, coil of relay 9, conductor 32, contacts 33 of lockout relay .12, conductor 34, contacts 26 of release magnet 14 to the other side of the control circuit. A circuit is also completed for the release magnet of the timing device 15 so that the motor starts to rotate before the cicruit breaker 1 can reclose. This circuit is from one side of a suitable control circuit through auxiliary contacts on the circuit breaker 1, conductor 31, contacts of lockout relay 12, conductor 36, coil of release magnet 20 to the other side of the control circuit.

As soon as the relay 9 is'energized so that its contacts 10 are closed and the overload relay has returned to its normal position so that its contacts 11 are closed, a circuit is completed for the closing coil 4 to efiect the closing of the circuit breaker. This circuit is from one side of a suitable control circuit through contacts 10 of relay 9, conductor 37, coil of lockout relay 12, conductor 38, contacts 11 of overload relay 7 closing coil 4 to the other side of the control circuit. The energization of the closing coil 4 closes the circuit breaker 1 and the energization of the coil of the lockout relay 12 causes the relay to move to its lockout position in which position the contacts 33 and 35 are open. The

opening of the'auxiliary contacts 30 on the circuit breaker effects the deenergization of the relay 9 which in turn opens the circuit of the closing coil 4. If the overload is still connected to the load circuit when the circuit breaker 1 closes, the overload relay 7 operates again to efiect the opening of the circuit breaker 1 inthe manner above described. If however the overload has been removed, the

' circuit breaker remains closed.

-While the circuit breaker is reclosing after its first opening the timer 16 is being operated by the motor 17, but it is so designed that it does not close its contacts 22 for a relatively long time after the first opening the circuit breaker 1.

It will be assumed that the overload is of a permanent character so that the circuit breaker opens immediately after its first repleted for the control relay 23 from one side of a suitable control circuit, through auxiliary contacts 30 on the circuit breaker 1, conductor 31, coil of relay 23, conductor 39, contacts 21 of timer 16 to the other side of the control circuit. The relay 23 by closing its contacts completes a locking circuit for itself which is independent of the contacts 21 so that the relay remains energized after the timer opens its contacts 21. When the timer subsequently closes its contacts 22 a circuit is completed for the hesitat-ing control relay 9. This circuit is from one side of the control circuit, through auxiliary contacts 30 on the circuit breaker 1, conductor 31, coil of relay 9, conductor 32, contacts 22 on the timer 16, conductor 39, contacts 40 of relay 23 to the other side of the control circuit. The hesitating control relay 9 eifects the completion of the circuit of the closing coil 4 in the manner above described. The energization of the coil of relay 12 has no efiect at this time since the relay is held in its energized position by the latch 13.

If the circuit breaker opens again, it is reclosed again by the timer 16 in the same manner as above described after it has been open a predetermined length of time.

After the timer has successively closed and opened its contacts 21 and 22 a predetermined number of times it closes its contacts 24. If the circuit breaker 1 is open at this time, the closing of the contacts 24 has no efiect and the timer merely continues to rotate until it reaches its normal position where it is held by the stop 18 engaging the projection 19, since the circuit of the release magnet 9 is open at the contacts 33 of the lockout relay 12. The reclosing equipment is thereby locked out until the lookout relay 12 is reset by hand.

If the circuit breaker 1 is closed at the time the timer closes its contacts 24, an energizing circuit is completed for the release magnet 14. This circuit is from one side of the control circuit through auxiliary contacts 25 on the circuit breaker 1, conductor 42, coil of release magnet 14, conductor 43, contacts 24 of timer 16 to the other side of the control circuit. The magnet 14, when energized, releases the latch 13 so that the lockout relay 12 is restored to its normal position in which the contacts 33 and 35 are closed. The instantaneous energizing circuit of the relay9 cannot be closed, however, in case the circuit breaker should open while the timer contacts 24 are closed Since sufficient current flows through the resistor 27 which is connected in parallel with the contacts 25 to maintain the contacts 26 of the magnet 14 open until the timer contacts 24 are opened.

After the timer opens its contacts 24 so that the contacts 26 controlled by the release magnet are closed the equipment is in condition again to efi'ect a quick reclosure of the circuit breaker as soon as it opens.

In Fig. 2, l have shown another arrangement for preventing the circuit breaker from being opened and closed an indefinite number of times in case a permanent overload should occur while the timer is in the position in which it resets the lockout relay. \Vith the arrangement shown in this figure, one quick reclosure of the circuit breaker occurs if the circuit breaker opens after the lockout relay has been reset. This same action takes place should the timer remain in its reset position. In this modification I provide the timer 16 with another set of contacts 44 which are arranged to be closed after the timer has closed its contacts 21 and 22 the predetermined number of times and which are closed and subsequently opened before the timer closes its contacts 24. The closing of the contacts 44 is arranged to complete a circuit for another control relay 45 if the circuit breaker 1 is closed at the time the contacts 44 are closed. This circuit is from one side of the control circuit through auxiliary contacts on the circuit breaker 1, coil of relay 45, contacts 44 of timer 16 to the other side of the control circuit. The relay 45 by closing its contacts 46 completes a locking circuit for itself which isindependent of the timer contacts 44. The contacts 46 are also connected in the circuit of the release magnet 14 so that the release magnet 14 is energized only when both the relay contacts 46 and the timer contacts 24 are closed. Therefore, if the circuit breaker 1 should open while the timer contacts 24 are closed and after the lockout relay 12 has been reset, the relay 45 becomes deenergized by the opening of the auxiliary contacts 25 on the circuit breaker and by opening its contacts 46 opens the circuit of the release magnet 14. Since the relay 45 cannot be energized again until the timer contacts 44 are closed, the release magnet 14, by closing its contacts 26 when its coil is deenergized by the opening of the auxiliary contacts 25 on the circuit breaker, completes the instantaneous energizing circuit for the relay 9 in the manner described above in connection with Fig. 1, and the energization of relay 9 eifects the instantaneous reclosure of the circuit breaker 1 and the energization of the relay 12. The relay 12 remains in its energized position until the timer 16 again closes its contacts 44 and 24 in succession, completing the circuit for the release magnet 14 as previously described.

In Fig. 3 Ihave shown my invention in connection with an arrangement for controlling a single phase circuit breaker in each phase of a three-phase load circuit. Where both single-phase and polyphase loads are supplied by a polyphase load circuit it is desirable, in case of a fault which does not affect all the phases, to continue to supply the sin le-phase loads connected to the phases not affected by the fault. Therefore, it is common practice to use three single-phase circuit breakers between the three-phase supply circuit and the three-phase load circuit instead of a single three-phase circuit breaker.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 the occurrence of an overload on any phase of the three-phase load circuit effects the opening of the circuit breakers in all of the phases and their immediate reclosures. In this manner the various load circuit breakers, which are provided with low voltage trips, are opened. If the single-phase overload is still connected to the load*circuit at the time the circuit breakers are reclosed, only the circuit breaker in the faulty phase opens and this circuit breaker is arranged to be reclosed a predetermined number of times with predetermined time intervals between successive rcclosures and to be locked out if it fails to remain closed after it has been reclosed a predetermined number of times.

The control arrangement shown in Fig. 3

is similar to that shown in Fig. 1 and, therefore, corresponding devices are given the same reference characters.

In Fig. 3 the circuit breakers 1a, 1b, and 1c are arranged to connect respectively the conductor 2a, 2b, and 2c of a three-phase supply circuit to conductor 3a, 3b, and 3c of a threephase load circuit. The circuit'breakers 1a, 1b, and 10, which preferably are of the trip free type, are respectively provided with closing coils 4a, 4?), and 40 and trip coils 6a, 6b, and 60 which respectively control the latches 5a, 5b, and 50. Overload relays 7 a, 7 b, and 7 c are respectively connected in series relation with the conductors 3a, 3b, and by means of the current transformers 8a, 8b,

and 80. 9a, 9b, and 9c are the hesitating control relays which respectively control the circuits of the closing coils 4a, 4b, and 40.

The lockout relay 12 and the timing device 15 are the same as in Fig. 1 and are connected in substantially the same manner except that the coil of the relay 12 is arranged to be energized when any one of the three closing coils 4a, 45, or is energized and the timing device 15 is arranged to control the reclosing of each of the three circuit breakers.

For effecting the simultaneous reclosing of all three circuit breakers immediately after they are opened the first time, I provide an instantaneous reclosing relay 49 which, when energized, is arranged to complete the circuit of each of the hesitating control relays 9a, 9?), and 90.

In order to effect the opening of all of the ,circuit breakers 1a, 1b, and 10 when any one of them is opened the first time by means of an abnormal load condition on its phase, I provide a control relay 50 which is arranged to be energized by the operation of any of the overload relays and which, when energized, completes the circuits of all of the trip coils. In order to prevent the control relay50 from efi'ecting the opening of all of the other circuit breakers in response to the next operation of the overload relay in the faulty phase in case the fault remains connected thereto when the circuit breakers are reclosed, I provide another relay 51 which becomes operative, as soon as the circuit breakers have been reclosed the first time, to render the relay 50 inoperative. In the particular arrangement shown in the drawing this result is obtained by connecting the relay 51 so that itefi'ects the deenergization of relay 50 as soon as the lockout relay 12 is energized.

The operation of the arrangement shown is as follows: When the circuit breakers 1a, 1b, and 1c are closed they are held in their closed positions by the latches 5a, 5b, and 50, respectively, as long as the load conditions are normal. When an overload occurs on, any phase the overload relay in that particular phase operates to close its contacts. For example, assume that a single-phase fault ocours on phase 3a so that overload relay 7a closes its contacts 28a and 52a. The closing of contacts 28a completes a circuit for the tri coil 6a from one side of a suitable contro circuit through auxiliary contacts 29a on circuit breaker 1a, trip coil 6a, contacts 28a of overload relay 7a to the other side ofthe control circuit. The energization of trip coil 6a releases latch 5a and effects the opening of circuit breaker 1a. The closing of contacts 52a which are connected in parallel with similar contacts 526 and 520 of overload relays 7 b and 7c, completes a circuit for the common trip relay 50. This circuit is from one side of the control circuit through contacts 53 of relay 51 which is energized at this time, coil of relay 50, conductor 54, contacts 52a of overload relay 7a to the other side of the control circuit. Relay 50 by closing its contacts 55 and 56 completes circuits for the trip coils 6b and 6c of circuit breakers 1b and 10 respectively. The circuit of trip coil 65 is from one side of the control circuit, through auxiliary contacts 296 on circuit breaker 1b, trip coil 6?), conductor 57, contacts 55 of relay 50, conductor 58, contacts 28a of overload relay 7a to the other side of the control circuit. The circuit of trip coil 60 is from one side of the control circuit through auxiliary contacts 290 on circuit breaker 1c, trip coil 60, conductor 59, contacts 56 of relay 50, conductor 58, contacts 28a of overload relay 7a tothe other side of the control circuit. The overload relays 7 a, 75, and 7c are preferably arranged in any suitable manner, examples of which are well known in the art, so that the maintain their contacts 52a, 52b, and 520 a closed until the tripping relay 50 efiects the opening of all of the circuit breakers.

As soon as the first circuit breaker'opens a circuit is completed for the release magnet of the timer 16 so that the motor 17 starts to rotate. This circuit is from one side of the control circuit through auxiliary contacts a, 306, or 300, depending upon which circuit breaker opens first, conductor 31, contacts of relay 12, conductor 36, release magnet 20 to the other side of the control circuit.

However, before the timer has time to close any of its contacts, the relay is deenergized by the overload relay in the faulty circuit opening .its contacts and by closing its contacts 6O completes a circuit for the instantaneous reclosing relay 49 to eflect a simultaneous reclosure of all three circuit breakers. This circuit is from one side of the control circuit through auxiliary contacts 30a, 30b, and 300 in parallel, conductor@1, coil of relay 49, conductor 61, contacts of relay 50 conductor 62, and contacts 63 of relay 51. The energization of the relay 49 effects the simultaneous closing of the circuits for the hesitating control relays 9a, 9b, and 9c. The circult of rela 9a is completed across the control circuit y contacts 64 of the relay 49, the circuit of relay 9?; is completed across the control circuit by contacts 65 of relay 49 and the circuit of relay 9c is completed across the control circuit by contact 66 of relay 49. The relay 49 is also provided with contacts 67 which complete a locking circuit for the relay which is independent of the. contacts 63 of relay 51.

The relays 9a, 9b, and 90 by closing their contacts 10a, 10b, and 100 respectively complete circuits for their associated closing coils and the coil of lockout relay 12. The closing'of contacts 10a of relay 9a completes a circuit from one side of the control circuit through contacts 101;, conductor 37 a, closing coil 4a, conductor 38, coil of relay 12 to the other side of the control circuit. The closing of contacts 106 of relay 9?; completes a circuit from one side of the control circuit through contacts 106, conductor 37b, closing coil 4?), conductor 38, coil of relay 12 to the other side of the control circuit. The closing of contacts 10b of relay 9c completes a circuit from one side of the control circuit through contacts 100, conductor 370, closing coil 40, conductor 38, coil of relay 12 to the other side of the control circuit.

The circuit breakers 1a,1b and 1c are, therefbre, simultaneously closed and lockout relay 12 is moved to its latched position. The opening of the contacts 33 of relay 12, when it is energized, opens the circuitof relay 51. The circuit of this relay is from one side of the control circuit, through coil of relay 51,

y conductor 69, contacts 33 of relay 12, conduc for 34, contacts 26 of release magnet 14, for the lookout relay 12, to the other side of the control circuit. The relay 51, by opening its contacts 53. prevents the common trip relay 50 from being energized if any of the overload relays subsequently operated aiter the circuit breakers are reclosed.

Assoon as all of the circuit breakers are closed the relay 49 becomes deenergized and opens the circuits of the relays 9a, 9b, and 90.

If the fault is still connected to the load circuit when instantaneous-reclosure of all of the circuit breakers occurs, the circuit breaker in the faulty phase is opened by its associated overload relay in the manner above described, but the circuit breakers in the phases which are normal remain closed since, as above described, the circuit of the common trip relay is open at contacts 33 of the lockout relay. Therefore, the circuit breaker in the faulty phase is not reclosed a second until the timer 16 has rotated far enough to first close and open its contacts 21 and then close its contacts 22. The closing of contact 21 completes a circuit for the control relay.23 associated with the timer from one side of the control circuit, through auxiliary contacts 30a, 306, or 300, depending upon which circuit breaker is open, conductor 31, coil of relay 23, conductor 39, contacts 21. of timer 16, to the other side of the control circuit. The relay 23 by closing its contacts 40 completes the locking circuit for itself so that the relay remains energized after the timer 16 opens its contacts 21. When the timer subsequently closes its contacts 22 a circuit is completed for the reclosing relay 49. This circuit is from one side of the control circuit, through auxiliary contacts 30a, 306, or 300, depending on which circuit breaker is open, conductor 31, coil of relay 49, conductor'61, contacts of relay 50, conductor 62, contacts 22 of timer 16, conductor 39, contacts 40 of relay 23, to the other side of the control circuit. The energization of the relay 49 effects, in the manner above described, the reclosing of whichever circuit breaker may be open.

If the fault is still connected to the load circuit so that the circuit breaker in the faulty phase is opened immediately after its second reclosure, the timer again effects, in the manner heretofore described, another reclosure thereof after it has been open a predetermined length of time.

If the faulty conditio is removed so that all of the circuit breakers are closed when the timer 16 reaches the position in which its contacts 24 are closed, the release magnet 14 is energized to reset the lockout relay 12. The circuit of the release magnet 14 is from one side of the control circuit, through auxiliary contacts 25a on circuit breaker 1a, conductor 7 0, auxiliary contacts 250 on circuit breaker 1c, conductor 71, auxiliary contacts 256 on circuit breaker 17 conductor 42, contacts 24 of timer 16, coil of release magnet 14 to the other side of the control circuit. The resistor 27 is provided to maintain the release magmagnet 14 energized so as to prevent an instantaneous reclosure of the circuit breaker as long as the timer contacts 24 are closed.

If any one of the circuit breakers is open When the timer 16 reaches the position in which its contacts 24 are closed, the heretofore traced energizing circuit for the release magnet 14 is open at the auxiliary contacts 25 on the open circuit breaker. Therefore, the lockout relay 12 remains in its locked-out position and the timer continues to rotate until it reaches its normal position where it is locked out until the lockout relay is reset manually.

It will be observed that with the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 only the circuit breakers in the faulty phases are locked out. However, if a fault occurs on any of the normal phases after the timer is locked out, the circuit breaker in the phase on which the fault occurs is opened in the manner above de scribed and is locked out.

While I have in accordance with the patent statutes shown and described several modifications and embodiments of my invention, other changes and embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

\Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. I11 an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, a circuit breaker, means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive means arranged when energized to effect the closing of said circuit breaker, means responsive to the opening of said circuit breaker for effecting the completion of an energizing circuit for said electroresponsive means immediately after said circuit breaker is opened, lockout means for effecting the opening of said energizing circuit immediately after each completion thereof, and means for maintaining said lockout means in a position to maintain said energizing circuit open for a predetermined time so as to prevent the immediate reclosure of said circuit breaker in case it is opened by said opening means immediately after its first reclosure.

2. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, a circuit breaker, means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive means arranged when energized to effect the closing of said circuit breaker, means responsive to the opening of said circuit breaker for effecting the completion of an energizing circuit for said electroresponsive means immediately after said circuit breaker is opened, lockout means for effecting the opening ofsaid energizing circuit immediately after each completion thereof,and means for maintaining said lockout means in its circuit opening position for a predetermined time including timing means arranged to effect the resetting of said lockout means aftersaid lockout means has remained in its circuit opening position for a predetermined time.

2}. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, a circuit breaker, means for efi'ect- 5 ing the opening of said circuit breaker, eleca troresponsive means arranged when energized to effect theclosingofsaid circuitbreaker, means responsive to the opening of said circuit breaker for effecting the completion of an energizing circuit for said electroresponsive means immediately after said circuit breaker is opened, lockout means responsive to the completion of said energizing circuit for edecting the opening thereof immediately after it is completed and for maintaining it open, and timing means responsive to the opening of said circuit breaker for efi'ecting the energization of said electroresponsive means at predetermined intervals and for effecting the resetting of said lockout means after a predetermined time.

4. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, a circuit breaker, means for eflecting the opening of said circuit breaker,'electroresponsive means arranged when energized to eifect the closing of said circuitbreaker, means responsive to the opening of said circuit breaker for effecting the completion of an energizing circuit for said. electrorespon- -sive means immediately after said circuit breaker is opened, lockout means responsive to the completion of said energizing circuit torefi'ecting the opening thereof immediately after it is completed and for maintaining it ,open nd timing means responsive to the opening of said circuit breaker arranged to effect the completion of another energizing circuit for said electroresponsive means a predetermined number of times with predetermined time intervals between successive completions of said last mentioned energizing circuit and for effecting the resetting of said lockout means after a predetermined time if said circuit breaker is closed at that time.

5; lln an automatic, rec-losing circuit breaker system, a circuitgbreaker, means for efiecting the opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive means arranged when energized to efi'ect the closing of said circuit breaker, a circuit for said electroresponsive means, means responsive to the opening of said circuit breaker for completing said circuit, contacts in said circuit, lockout means comprising an operating winding arranged to efi'ect the immediate opening of said contacts in response to the completion of said circuit and a reset winding arranged to efi'ect the closing of said contacts, and timing means responsive to the opening of said circuit breaker for controlling the energization of breaker system, a circuit breaker, means for openin effecting the opening of said circuit breaker,

a reset winding arranged to eifect the 'closing of said last mentioned contacts and the opening of other of said c ntacts, and timing means for controlling an energizing cir cuit for said reset winding a predetermined time after the opening of said circuit breaker.

7. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, a circuit breaker, means for efi ecting the opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive means arranged when en'- ergized to efi'ect the closing of said circuit breaker, a circuit for said electroresponsive means, means responsive to the opening of said circuit breaker for completing said circuit, a plurality of contacts in said circuit, lockout means I comprising an operating winding arranged to eflect the immediate opening of certain of said contacts in response to the completion of saidcircuit and a reset winding arranged to effect the closing of said last mentioned contacts and the of other of said contacts, another energizing circuit for said electroresponsivemeans, and timing means responsive to the opening of said circuit breaker for eflecting the completion of said last mentioned energizing circuit and for controlling an energizmg circuit for said reset Winding.

. 8. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, a circuit breaker, overload responsive means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive means arran ed when energized to effect the dos-- ing 0 said circuit breaker, a circuit for said electroresponsive means, means responsive to the opening of said circuit breaker for completing said circuit, a plurality of contacts in said circuit, lockout means comprisingan operating winding arranged to he energized in response to the completion of said circuit to etiect the immediate opening of certain of said contacts'iand a reset winding arranged when energizedito effect the closing of said last mentioned contacts and the opening of other of said contacts, an ens, ergizing circuit for said reset Winding, contacts in said last mentioned-circuit controlled by said circuit breaker, timing means arranged to be operated in response to the opening of said circuit breaker, other contacts in said last mentioned circuit controlled by said timing means, and means for maintaining said reset winding sufficiently energized after its energizing circuit is completed to prevent said reset winding from closing said other of said contacts until the timing means contacts in the circuit of the reset winding are open.

9. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, a circuit breaker, 'overload responsive means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive means arranged when energized to effect the closing of said circuit breaker, a circuit for said electroresponsive means, means responsive to the opening of said circuit breaker for completing said circuit, a plurality of contacts in said circuit, lockout means comprising an operating winding arranged to be energized in response to the completion of said circuit to effect the immediate opening of certain of said contacts and a reset winding arranged when energized to effect the closing of said last mentioned contacts and the opening of other of said contacts, an energizing circuit for said reset winding, contacts in said last mentioned circuit controlled by said circuit breaker, timing means arranged to be operated in response to the opening of said circuit breaker, other contacts in said last mentioned circuit controlled by said tiniing means, and a resistor in shunt around the circuit breaker controlled contacts in said last mentioned circuit.

10. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, a circuit breaker, overload responsive means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive means arranged when energized to effect the closing of said circuit breaker, means responsive to the opening of said circuit breaker for efiecting the completion of an energizing circuit for said electroresponsive means, contacts in said energizing circuit, another electroresponsive means arranged to be energized in response to the completion of said energizing circuit for effecting the opening of said contacts immediately after each completion of said energizing circuit and means for maintaining said contacts open so as to prevent said energizing circuit from being completed immediately after the next opening of said circuit breaker if the opening occurs within a predetermined time after the first reclosure of the circuit breaker.

11. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, a circuit breaker, overload responsive means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive means arranged when energized to effect the closing of said circuit breaker, means responsive to the opening of said circuit breaker for effecting.

the completion-of an energizing circuit for said electroresponsive means, contacts in said energizing circuit, another electroresponsive means arranged to be energized in response to the completion of said energizing circuit for efl'ecting the opening of said contacts immediately after each completion of said energizing circuit and for maintaining said contacts open, and timing means responsive to the opening of said circuit breaker for effecting the resetting of said contacts after they have been open a predetermined length of time.

12:"In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, a plurality of circuit breakers, overload responsive means associated with each circuit breaker for effecting the opening thereof, common means responsive to the operation of any one of said overload means for effecting the opening of the other circuit breakers, means for automatically reclosing said circuit breakers simultaneously, and means for rendering said common means inoperative to eifect the opening of the other circuit breakers when any one of said overload responsive means operates after said circuit breaker has been reclosed a predetermined number of times.

13. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, a polyphase circuit, a circuit breaker in each of certain phases of said circuit, means associated with each circuit breaker controlling the opening thereof and the opening of the other circuit breakers, reclosing means for effecting the closing of each circuit breaker when it is open, and means responsive to the first reclosure of a circuit breaker for rendering each opening means operative to effect the opening of only the circuit breaker with which it is associated.

14. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, a plurality of circuit breakers, means associated with each circuit breaker for effecting the opening thereof and the opening of the other circuit breakers, reclosing means responsive to the opening of each circuit breaker for eflecting the reclosing thereof, and means operative after a circuit breaker has been reclosed a predetermined number of times to render each opening means inoperative to effect the opening of any other circuit breaker than the one with which it is associated.

15. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, a polyphase circuit, a circuit breaker in each of certain phases of said circuit, an overload responsive device associated with each circuit breaker responsive to the load conditions of the respective phases and normally arranged to effect the opening of its associated circuit breaker and the circuit breakers in the other phases, reclosing means for effecting the reclosing of each circuit breaker a predetermined number of times with predetermined time intervals between successive reclosures, and means operative after said circuit breakers have been reclosed a predetermined number of times to render each overload responsive means inoperative to efiect the opening of any other circuit breaker than the one .with which it is associated.

16. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, a polyphase circuit, a circuit breaker in each of certain phases of said circuit, an overload res onsive devlce asso- 7 ciated with each circuit reaker and responsive to the load conditions of the respective phases, means controlled by each overload device for effecting the opening of its associated circuit breaker and the circuit breakers in the other phases, reclosing means for effecting the simultaneous reclosure of all of said circuit breakers immediately after they are opened the first time and for effecting subsequent reclosures of each of the circuit breakers after they 'have been open predetermined relatively long lengths of time, and means responsive to the first reclosure of said circuit breakers for rendering each said overload responsive means inoperative to effeet the openin of any other circuit breaker than the one with which it is associated for a predetermined length of time.

17. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, a polyphase circuit, a circuit breaker in each phase of said circuit, an overload responsive means in each phase for effecting the opening of the circuit breaker therein, common tripping means responsive to the operation of any one of said overload responsive means for efi'ecting the opening of the other circuit breakers, reclosing means for effecting the simultaneous reclosure of all of said circuit breakers immediately after they are opened the first time and for eflecting subsequent reclosures of each of the circult breakers after they have been open predetermined relatively long lengths of time, means responsive to the first reclosure of said circuit breakers for rendering said common tripping means inoperative, and timing means responsive to the first opening of said circuit breakers for rendering said common tripping) means again operative if all said circuit predetermined time interval.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of July, 1927.

ARVID E. ANDERSON.

reakers are closed at the end of a 

